Since April 1, 2018 Ontario employers have been required to pay temporary help agency workers and casual & part-time employers the same rate of pay as full-time employers performing substantially the same work unless an exemption applies.

The three popular articles this week on HRinfodesk deal with current and 2018 payroll rates charts and complying with Bill 148 provisions that are in force January 1, 2018, as well as the equal pay for equal work provisions effective April 1, 2018.

The three popular articles this week on HRinfodesk deal with the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, new payroll rates and Bill 148’s amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and to the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The three popular articles this week on HRinfodesk deal with: how an employee’s decision to retrain affected his right to damages after termination, improvements to CRA services for small and medium businesses and union-friendly changes to the certification process included in Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act.

Ontario’s Workplace Safety & Insurance Board made headlines this month by announcing that employer premiums would decrease an average of 5% in 2017, the first such decrease in over 15 years. This will result in approximately $250 million less being collected from employers, making the average premium rate $2.46 per $100 of insurable payroll, down from $2.59 in 2016.

Minimum wage is the lowest wage rate an employer can legally pay their employee. Ontario has one of the highest minimum wage rates; as of October 1st, 2016 Ontario’s minimum wage rate will be increasing. The majority of employees are entitled to minimum wage, including casual employees, full-time and part-time employees, and those paid an hourly rate, piece rate, flat rate, salary, or commission. Although, there are some exemptions from minimum wage provisions of the Employment Standards Act.

If you are reading an employment law blog you already know that employers have legal obligations under the Ontario Employment Standards Act. The top five violations for the fiscal year 2014/2015, as compiled by the Ministry of Labour, were with respect to…

In most parts of Canada, the first Monday of August is recognized as a holiday. This year, the first Monday is August 1. Although most commonly referred to as “Civic Holiday”, the holiday is referred to differently across Canada. The name of the holiday is not the only thing that differs between the provinces and territories, the legal status of the holiday also varies. That is, in some provinces and territories, the first Monday in August is considered a statutory (public) holiday, while in others it is not.

The three popular articles this week on HRinfodesk deal with: An FAQ that addresses an employee harassment complaint; a case that looks at accommodating an employee with a disability; and a notification regarding upcoming minimum wage increases in British Columbia.

In the matter of Step Energy Services Ltd. v. Joe Palmer, the employer appealed an Order of an Employment Standards Officer that required the employer to pay $3,397.22 for unpaid wages that the Officer concluded was owing to the employee.

This decision is another reminder to employers to ensure that termination clauses provide for all entitlements prescribed by the Employment Standards Act in order for them to be considered valid and enforceable. The company in this case should never have carved out its obligation to provide statutory Severance Pay.